Natural Isn't Always Natural In Your ProductsTopanga Tonics researched 15 popular brands of supposed "healthy" herbal body butters sold on-line and in health food stores and discovered that in addition to good ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter and floral waters, 13 out of 15 well known brands also contained the potentially harmful, damaging ingredients listed below:

Carbomer is a term used for a series of polymers primarily made from acrylic acid.

Cylohexane mainly used for the industrial production of adipic acid and caprolactam, which are precursors to nylon.

Dimethicone a silicone based polymer that covers skin trapping moisture, bacteria, skin oil, sebum and other impurities which can cause skin breakouts.Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE): Lab derived. This natural compound is produced in small quantities in the brain and is linked to memory and cognitive function. side effects are generally mild, but may include insomnia, headache, and excitation in large dosages.

Dioxane a by-product of a petrochemical process called ethyoxylation.

Disodium EDTA a chemical salt used to separate heavy metals from dyes and other substances, also used in alternative medicine, both as a chelating agent to remove heavy metals from the body and to remove plaque from arteries, toxic to humans in high amounts.

Ethelene oxide can harm the nervous system. The California Environmental Protection Agency has classified ethelene oxide as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development.

Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative, deodorant agent) Relatively new chemical on the market that is highly processed, not natural form, known skin irritant, can possibly damage and irritate eyes, and is known to cause dermatitis. Safety data highly lacking.

Fragrance, (artificially made, can have up to 600 different ingredients which are not required to be listed on the label. They often have hazardous ingredients and there’s no way of knowing if they do.

Glyceryl Stearate SE made from glycerin and stearic acid (a fatty acid obtained from animal and vegetable fats and oils) is a mild irritant and may cause allergic reactions.

Hexylene glycol used in chemical manufacturing as a solvent and in hydraulic fluids, can irritate skin and eyes on contact, breathing can irritate nose and throat causing coughing and wheezing, may affect liver, kidneys and nervous system.

Isostearic Acid synthetically created fatty acid.

Isopropyl Myristate, a synthetic oil that actually lessens the “greasy” or oily feeling found in some lotions and creams, Chapsitck, small chance of skin irritation, clogged pores and acne inflammation.

Octisalate reproductive and developmental toxicity can occur in relation to Salicylic Acid, one of the two primary components of Octisalate, it has determined that the levels used in cosmetic and beauty products would not cause any adverse reaction. Importantly, the FDA has approved Octisalate for use in sunscreen with up to 5% concentration (source).Octocrylene When this chemical is exposed to UV light, it absorbs the rays and produces oxygen radicals that can damage cells and cause mutations. It is readily absorbed by your skin and may accumulate within your body in measurable amounts. Plus, it can be toxic to the environment.

PEG’s (polyethylene glycol) are petroleum-based compounds used as product thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers. They maybe contaminated with measurable amounts of a chemical called ethelene oxide (a known skin carcinogen)

Phenoxyethanol (preservative) In order to create phenoxyethanol the known skin carcinogen ethylene oxide is combined with a phenol (a chemical compound which is also considered a carcinogen). The Chemical Toxicity Database lists that phenoxyethanol may cause depression of the central nervous system leading to diarrhea and vomiting , kidney damage, skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness. If inhaled it may cause respiratory and digestive tract irritation. Japan has banned the use of it in all cosmetics. Breast feeding mothers should avoid using topical lotions with this ingredient.Phenyl trimethicone (silicone polymer)

Polysorbate 60 or 80, polyoxyethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, PEG, anything ending in “-eth,” such as sodium laureth sulfate. These ingredients may be contaminated with cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane, which is easily absorbed through the skin. Manufacturers are not required to tell you about the contaminants.

Sodium Dehydroacetate: A cosmetic preservative. If ingested can cause impaired kidney function. Large doses can cause vomiting, ataxia, and confusion. There are no apparent allergic skin reactions and it is considered safe as a cosmetic ingredient.

Stearalkonium Chloride The Organic Consumers Association states that stearalkonium chloride is a toxic chemical that can cause allergic reactions. It is used in creams and hair conditioners and was originally developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener and is cheaper to use in hair conditioners than herbals or proteins.

Tetrasodium ETDA, made from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde—a known carcinogen according to the National Cancer Institute.

Triethanolamine Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there is strong evidence that Triethanolamine is a human skin, immune system and respiratory toxicant.